If violent crime was Cori Thompson’s profession, then last winter was a busy season for the 22-year-old Northeast Philadelphia man.
While already in prison and awaiting trial for an armed robbery that he allegedly committed last March 5, Thompson was charged last week with the execution-style murders of three men inside a Lawncrest home on Feb. 13 in what detectives believe were drug trafficking-related slayings.
Police found Keurlin Charles, 25; Vander Freemont, 34; and Brian Williams, 25, inside the twin home that Charles shared with relatives on the 6300 block of Martins Mill Road. All had been shot in the back of the head. Charles’ body was found in a second-floor bedroom, bound by duct tape. Freemont, who may have lived in the home, too, was also bound by duct tape and found in the first-floor living room. Williams, of the 1100 block of Fillmore Street in Northwood, was also in the living room, but had not been bound.
The shooting occurred at about 3 p.m. on that Thursday. Officers from the 2nd Police District went to the scene in response to a report of a person screaming. There were no signs of forced entry into the property, but the place had been ransacked, as if the killer or killers were searching for something. Police have not disclosed whether they believe Thompson acted in concert with accomplices.
Thompson, of the 1400 block of Magee Ave. in Castor Gardens, remains in prison without bail. He is charged with three counts of murder, robbery, burglary and related offenses. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 26. Circumstances of the March 5 armed robbery were unavailable as the Northeast Times went to press. He is scheduled for a trial in that case on March 23. ••
